Warning a pub chicken parmigiana could soon cost $40
A delicious, cheesy, chicken parmigiana has long been a pub favourite for Aussies all over.
But with venues right around the country facing increasing taxes and inflation pressures, one Sydney publican is warning the traditional meal could soon cost you $40.
"Prices are getting pretty steep for the average punter out there and it's only getting worse," Brian McGettigan told Today.
Subscribe to the Today newsletter here. Nine
Chicken parmigiana could cost you $40 at the pub. iStock
READ MORE: Michael Douglas makes huge career announcement
Brian said everything from input prices and inflation to pub owners being stung with ongoing tax increases were to blame.
"We're also seeing energy prices get really high and business insurance costs at the same time are combining to make this really, really, really unaffordable for most Australians to go into a pub," he said.
"We want to see a thriving, happy industry where everyone can go out and enjoy a reasonably priced meal, but with all these input costs rising and the owners facing so much pressure, especially the smaller individual independent operators.
"They're finding so much pressure, with these costs combining at a time where people are facing higher rents and higher mortgages and going out less and less."
While happy hours and cheap Tuesday meal specials "put bums on seats", Brian said the industry needs to band together to put pressure on the Federal Government for relief.
Brian McGettigan said the costs have to be passed down, unfortunately. Today
READ MORE: Youth crime victim fed up after home broken into four times
"The Australian Hotels Association is great, but our excise tax is the third highest in the world, our tax on beer and spirits, we need to look at excise tax and put a cap on energy prices, because without doing this, unfortunately owners have to pass these price increases on along the line," he said.
"And they don't want to, they want to have a full pub every night of the week, but it's really at a government level where the state bodies can really put pressure on the government and say, hey, can we discuss this?"
How do you feel about a $40 chicken parmigiana? Let us know
We’d love to hear from you
